Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, March 1998, Pages 32, 77

Special Report

AUC Forum Tackles Islamist Movements

By Lynn Mahoney

Western media often lump Islamist movements without differentiating between the multitude of groups which fall under this rubric. Images of violence and terror predominate, with little explanation of who is perpetrating these acts and why. Nevertheless, in parts of the Arab world Islamist activists are entering politics and becoming assimilated into the political framework of the state.

These issues were considered by a panel of three distinguished academics at the 10th AUC Forum on Nov. 13 in New York City entitled "The Changing Face of Islamist Movements." Speakers were Saad Eddin Ibrahim, professor of political sociology at the American University in Cairo; Andrea Bartoli, director of the SIPA Conflict Resolution Program at Columbia University; and Augustus Richard Norton, professor of anthropology and international relations at Boston University. AUC trustee Bruce L. Ludwig, vice chairman of the board of directors of the Westmark Realty Group, presided.

Dr. Ibrahim, the first speaker, credited the growth of Islamist movements in the Arab world to the marginalization of youths in Arab society. Characterizing Islamist movements he noted, "We see it as barbarians at the gate knocking heavily, violently, wanting to be included. So Islamic activism everywhere today is a plea for inclusion, in the decision-making process, politics, and in partnership in the wealth and prestige of their societies." He warned that resisting the inclusion of these claimants would devastate the region, creating political situations similar to that in Algeria.

In his research, Dr. Ibrahim found that the "face" of Islamic movements in Egypt has changed considerably in the past 20 years. Activists in the 1970s were from the middle class and were highly educated professionals frustrated by the lack of financial and political rewards for their hard work and study. Islam provided a means to rally and fight against corrupted and decadent leaders, and was a platform for social change. In the 1990s the movement has spread "downwards and sideways." The activists today are considerably less educated, younger, and from lower social classes, but they too are frustrated by their lack of political participation and by the economic disparities in Egyptian society.

Dr. Ibrahim said that the Egyptian government needs to include these restless youths and provide more opportunities for political, social, and economic involvement in the state. Once this is achieved, the generational cycle of Egyptian Islamist movements eventually will cease.

Augustus Richard Norton agreed with Dr. Ibrahim's argument and added that the inclusion of Islamic groups into state political systems is vital to sustaining civil society in the Arab world.

Looking at the political turmoil of Mozambique in the 1980s, Dr. Norton noted that the radical factions of that decade now have successfully assimilated into the political process. "It really challenges us to wonder what there is about the political process that seems to pull people to the center, to induce an element of moderation," Dr. Norton said. He noted that the process of inclusion creates a dynamic of compromise.

Using Lebanon as a case study, he noted that since the 1980s, Hezbollah has evolved from a radical group that vehemently opposed alignment with the government. Since winning eight parliamentary seats in 1992 , Hezbollah officials have proved to be pragmatic, willing to compromise, and to make political deals.

Inclusion Leads to Moderation

The same can be seen elsewhere in the Muslim world, as in Turkey when Necmettin Erbekan of the Islamist Welfare Party gained power. Once included into the political framework of the state, the Islamists have become more moderate and willing to compromise to retain political power.

"It is clear to me that a policy of exclusion that attempts to keep people outside of the game is a destructive policy by definition," Dr. Norton concluded. "And that a policy of inclusion, structured with intelligence, is a way to stabilize and reconsolidate a political system."

The final speaker, Andrea Bartoli, characterized Algeria as a country rife with conflicting tensions entrapped by a small military elite that is trying to maintain control at the expense of a paralyzed Muslim civil society. Comparing this conflict to Northern Ireland, he noted that the fragile peace being established there is very dear to the West.

Whereas 3,500 people have died in the Irish fight for independence, the same number has perished in less than a year in Algeria. Disappointed by the lack of Western concern for the situation in Algeria he questioned, "Are we going to let thousands die in Algeria because the coup is away from our hearts?" He argued that the Algerian tragedy merits more media coverage and Western concern and that it should not be viewed as a large Islamist movement trying to engulf the state.

Dr. Bartoli noted that Islamist movements have played an important role in the history of Algeria. Islamist activists rebelled against both Ottoman and French rule. Factions have always existed in Algerian Islamic movements, and Bartoli believes these differences create a "checks and balances" system if the current political structure is stable.

In this context, he viewed these factions as the expression of civil society in Algeria. While there are some radical and violent Islamic groups currently in Algeria, Bartoli stressed they are not the main problem. Rather it is the military elites who are devastating the country. Bartoli concluded that in order to dismantle the armed forces in Algeria, a genuine political system needs to be created that will include all the elements of a civilized society.

Established in October 1992, the AUC Forum is a semi-annual panel discussion in New York featuring experts on political, economic, social, and cultural issues of importance to Egypt and the Middle East. The next Forum will be in May 1998.

For further information contact Mary Judith Sundstrom at The American University in Cairo, 420 Fifth Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10018-2729, (212) 730-8800.